


BRIDGE RULES 



RHYME 



GV 

1)3 





Gass GtV" 1 1 I I 

Book ,1D 3 



RHYMING RULES 
OF BRIDGE 



H. C. DuVAL 



PAFRAETS BOOK COMPANY 
TROY NEW YORK 1902 



THE LibRARY OF 
CONGRESS, 

Two Copies Received 

M 16 1903 

Copyist entry 
CLASS 4K* XXc. No. 

COPY B. . 






Copyright, 1902, 
by 

H. C.DDVAL, 



■ 



Oh Muse forgive me, 
Critics all — desist, 
My Rhymes, tho' bad, 
Perchance may teach you Whist. 



NO TRUMP MAKES 



Aces three and guarded Queen 
No Trump hand is plainly seen. 

Aces four No Trump at once 
Otherwise you'd be a dunce. 

Aces three No Trump for then 
Each in Honors counts as ten. 

Guarded King in each array 

With an Ace, No Trump's the play. 

Aces two and guarded King 

Say at once No Trump's the thing. 



NO TRUMP LEADS 

Holding six with King and Ace, 
Fourth best on the table place. 

Ace and King with five you hold, 
Lead the King we're plainly told. 

Holding four with King and Queen, 
Fourth best is the play I ween. 

Holding King and Queen and five, 
Make the King your opening drive. 

Ace and five, for proper lead 
Fourth best will supply your need. 



NO TRUMP LEADS 

* * 

Ace and six, if this the case 
Promptly lead out with the Ace. 

Holding only King, Queen, Ace 
Give the King the opening place. 

If you're holding Queen, Jack, ten 
Queen the first to call on then. 

But if it is Ten, Jack, King 
Leading Ten's the proper thing. 

With a re-entry card, 
Ace, Queen and Jack 
Play Ace, then Queen 
In making the attack. 

But sans re-entry 
It is plainly seen 
With Ace, Queen, Jack 
The best lead is the Queen. 



3 



DECLARED TRUMP LEADS 

Short suits it is well to lead 
If of trumps you stand in need. 

No short suit lead we are told 
If an Ace, King suit you hold. 

Lead the King and smiling bland 
Scan the cards in Dummy's hand. 

If you have the deal, refuse 
Either Clubs or Spades to choose. 

If you're holding King or Ace 
Lead the King to start the pace. 

Holding Ace, King, Queen in hand 
Lead the King you understand. 

If you hold Ace, King and Jack 
With the King begin attack. 

King lead plainly will unfold 
Ace or Queen or both you hold. 

4 



DOUBLING 

Four tricks in Spades, or five to double, 
Otherwise you're seeking trouble. 

To double a Heart and take the tricks 
Be sure of five and a possible six. 

Doubling's wisest in the fight 
If the maker's on your right. 



HEART MAKES 

Honors one in Hearts of six 

Make it Hearts — you'll take the tricks. 

Five in Hearts with Honors two 
Hearts the "make" you surely do. 

Four in Hearts with Honors three 

And something else, Hearts make, you see. 

Ace, King, Queen and one — Make Hearts 
No one from this rule departs. 

Sure Heart hand I much prefer 
No Trump then would be to err. 



GENERAL OBSERVATIONS 

It is never well to name 
Diamonds in a rubber game. 

Diamonds you will never find 
Wise when you're a game behind. 

Diamonds or Hearts are grand 
Honors four within your hand. 

"Lead through strength is quite correct 
Up to weakness don't neglect. 

If poverty your hand pervades 
Take no chances, Make it Spades. 

Best of Rules beyond a doubt, 
Keep in mind what cards are out. 

And of all things don't ignore 
Carefully to watch the score. 



JAN 10 1903 



